A’ishah's POV
Today is December 24, at wala parin akong natatanggap na kahit na anong balita mula kay Mom.
Last night, I fell asleep with Maxi's hand still intertwined with mine. Nagising ako ngayong umaga na naka-sandal ang ulo ko sa balikat niya. Medyo sumakit yung balikat at leeg ko dahil sa posisyon namin pero mas pinili kong wag muna umalis at i-enjoy muna ngayon ‘to.
Biglang gumalaw si Maxi, her hand twitching slightly, and I wondered if she was waking up. I stayed quiet, unsure of what to say or if I even wanted to break this fragile peace we had. Being with Maxi last night, the way she held my hand and made me feel safe, it was a welcome distraction from everything else.
But my mind kept wandering back to Mom, and the emptiness of not hearing from her kept bothering me. I tried to shake it off, focusing instead on Maxi’s warmth, on the quiet hum of the world outside, on the faint sound of Christmas music drifting in from the neighbor’s house. I didn’t want to ruin this moment.
As if sensing my restlessness, Maxi’s voice broke through the quiet. “You okay?” She murmured, her voice soft and still groggy from sleep.
I blinked, surprised she had noticed. “Yeah.” I whispered back, though it felt like a lie. I wasn’t okay, not really.
She turned her head slightly, looking down at me, her eyes still sleepy but filled with concern. “You sure?” She asked, gently brushing her thumb against my hand, that familiar comfort in her touch.
I hesitated for a moment, then finally let out a quiet sigh. “It’s just… today’s Christmas Eve, and I haven’t heard anything from Mom.”
“I understand. Sumama ka nalang sa akin sa bahay. Let's Celebrate Christmas together with my Family.” Biglaang sabi niya na nagpagulat sa akin. Shux! Meet the family agad ang atake niya?! Ni hindi pa nga siya umaamin kung ako ba ay gusto niya.
Napansin naman niya ang gulat sa aking mga mata kaya kaagad niyang dinugtungan. “Don't worry, they won't bite. I'd love for you to meet them. Kilala na nila lahat ng friends natin noon pa. I think it's time for them to meet you din.”
“Are you normally introducing all of your friends to your family?” Pinanliitan ko siya ng tingin.
“Just the closest ones.” Sagot niya ng diretchahan.
Ahhh! Kaya pala pati si Ms. Den kilalang kilala nila. Close naman pala.
Slowly, I'm pulling my hand away from hers. And napansin naman agad ni Maxi ang pag-pull away ko ng kamay, at biglang nag-iba ang expression niya, as if she was trying to figure out if she said something wrong.
I cleared my throat. “Maliligo lang ako.” Paalam ko na hindi man lang siya tinitignan.
Nagtagal ako ng halos isang oras sa banyo habang naliligo. Iniisip ko parin yung muntikang nangyari kagabi.
Seryoso ba? Magkikiss talaga dapat kami? Shux! Hindi ko alam anong mararamdaman ko. Dapat ba kinikilig ako ngayon? O dapat ba naiinis ako kasi hindi natuloy ‘yon? Or dapat maging thankful ako kasi nga hindi natuloy ‘yon?
After all, hindi ko parin alam ang nararamdaman ni Maxi para sa akin. Oo, close kami. Nitong mga nagdaang buwan lalo kaming napalapit sa isa't isa.
Sa sobrang close namin minsan may sarili na kaming mundo kahit na magkakasama kami ng mga girls. We seem to have our own language for we understand each other with just a glance. Para bang kaming dalawa lang ang nagkakaintindihan.
Ganong level na yung closeness namin. But all these months alam ko na pure friendship lang ang lahat ng ‘yon.
Pero bakit parang may kakaiba na mula nang mag December?
YOU ARE READING
Love on Trial
FanfictionA'ishah stood out in the vibrant city of Manila, not just because she was new, but because her calm demeanor suggests that her poise and serenity are so exceptional that they seem almost too perfect for this world, giving her an almost magical, out...
